Q: You had a rough start with the Rangers, and you ended up going back down to Single-A and then working your way back up. Was that frustrating for you?

A: It's like one of my friends says: "Sometimes you have to step back to go forward." At the time, I didn't understand, because if I play in the Big Leagues, why do I have to go all the way back to Single-A? Finally I did it and I did whatever they wanted me to do. I think it was better for me because I came back and won like 14 games in a row. It made me better. It made me a better person.

Q: In 2008, you made the All-Star team with the Cincinnati Reds and in another game, went head-to-head with Cliff Lee and won. Did you realize how big that was?

A: It was big-time. He was the leader in the American League and I was the leader in ERA, innings, strikeouts, everything. You don't see that too many times -- those pitchers from both leagues going against each other. The Reds gave me a lot of run support too (laughs).

Q: I always see you by your locker, you have your headphones on, you're smiling, you're doing a little dancing. You like that, right?

A: Yeah. I'm a happy person and I like to enjoy everywhere I go. I like music, dancing, and I like to play around with my teammates, make them happy and give them support. When I went to Cincinnati, it was a happy clubhouse: "We lost today, but we're going to get it tomorrow." That's what I try to give those guys in there. If we lost today, there's nothing we can do. All we can do is get better and get ready for our next game.

Q: You're a very snappy dresser, too. Where'd you get your fashion sense?